Superimposed low-grade metamorphism in the Mount Fisher area, southeastern British Columbia—implications for the East Kootenay orogeny

1982 ◽  
Vol 19 (3) ◽  
pp. 476-489 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. E. McMechan ◽  
R. A. Price
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Regional Metamorphism ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Canadian Cordillera ◽  
Windermere Supergroup ◽  
Granitic Intrusion ◽  
Block Faulting ◽  
Middle Proterozoic

Middle Proterozoic (~1500–1350 Ma) Belt–Purcell strata exposed in the Purcell and southwestern Rocky Mountains were affected by at least three distinct episodes of deformation and regional metamorphism. The oldest episode (1300–1350 Ma) apparently terminated Belt–Purcell sedimentation and involved folding, regional metamorphism, and granitic intrusion. The second episode (800–900 Ma) occurred during deposition of the Windermere Supergroup and involved uplift, block faulting, and low-grade regional metamorphism. Mesozoic–Cenozoic metamorphism, deformation, and plutonism overprinted the results of the earlier deformation and metamorphism.Illite crystallinity and muscovite polymorph ratios indicate that Purcell strata in the Mount Fisher area are in the lower green-schist to prehnite–pumpellyite facies of regional metamorphism. In the Steeples and Fisher blocks this metamorphism is related to structures that formed during the Late Cretaceous – Paleocene deformation. However, in the Sand Creek block the regional metamorphism is related to the development of a spaced cleavage that is folded by a Late Cretaceous – Paleocene nappe. Regional considerations suggest that this cleavage formed during the 1300–1350 Ma episode of deformation and metamorphism.The "East Kootenay orogeny" as currently defined embraces the two older episodes of tectonism. It is proposed that the term East Kootenay orogeny be restricted to designate the 1300–1350 Ma episode and that the term "Goat River orogeny" designate the 800–900 Ma episode of tectonism. The East Kootenay and Goat River orogenies appear to be correlative with the Racklan and Hayhook orogenies recognized in the northern Canadian Cordillera.

Ediacaran fossils and dubiofossils, Miette Group of Mount Fitzwilliam area, British Columbia

1991 ◽  
Vol 28 (10) ◽  
pp. 1541-1552 ◽  
Author(s):  
H. J. Hofmann ◽  
E. W. Mountjoy ◽  
M. W. Teitz
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Shallow Water ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Carbonate Mounds ◽  
Windermere Supergroup

Shallow-water clastic beds flanking stromatolitic carbonate mounds in the upper part of the Vendian Miette Group (Windermere Supergroup) of the Rocky Mountains contain a poorly preserved, soft-bodied fauna that comprises morphologically very variable discoid remains; these include the taxa Beltanella sp., cf. B. grandis, Charniodiscus? sp., Irridinitus? sp., Nimbia occlusa, Protodipleurosoma sp., cf. P. rugulosum, and Zolotytsia? sp. and seven types of dubiofossils.

Geology of the Matthew Creek metamorphic zone, southeast British Columbia: a window into Middle Proterozoic metamorphism in the Purcell Basin

2000 ◽  
Vol 37 (7) ◽  
pp. 1073-1092 ◽  
Author(s):  
C RM McFarlane ◽  
D RM Pattison
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Transition Zone ◽  
Ductile Deformation ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
Core Zone ◽  
The Core ◽  
Pelitic Schist ◽  
Metamorphic Zone ◽  
Structural Dome ◽  
Middle Proterozoic

Southwest of Kimberley, southeastern British Columbia, the Matthew Creek metamorphic zone occupies the core of a structural dome in Mesoproterozoic rocks of the Lower Aldridge formation (lower Purcell Supergroup). It comprises (1) a core zone of ductilely deformed sillimanite-grade metapelites, thin foliated mafic sills, and sheared quartz-plagioclase-tourmaline pegmatites; and (2) a thin transition zone of ductilely deformed metasediments which marks a textural and metamorphic transition between the core zone and overlying regionally extensive, brittlely deformed, biotite-grade semipelitic Lower Aldridge formation metasediments and thick Moyie sills. The core zone and transition zone in combination cover an area of 30 km2. The deepest exposed rocks in the core zone have a strong foliation and lineation (D1 deformation) formed during late M1 metamorphism at conditions of 580–650°C and 3.5 ± 0.5 kbar. The timing of this metamorphic-structural episode is constrained to the interval 1352–1341 Ma based on near-concordant U–Pb ages from monazite in pelitic schist near the mouth of Matthew Creek. Later, weaker metamorphic and deformation episodes variably overprinted the rocks of the Matthew Creek metamorphic zone. The juxtaposition of low-grade, weakly deformed rocks above high-grade, strongly deformed rocks across a zone of ductile deformation is interpreted to be due to a subhorizontal shear zone.

Geochemistry, geochronology, and tectonic implications of two quartz monzonite intrusions, Purcell Mountains, southeastern British Columbia

1988 ◽  
Vol 25 (1) ◽  
pp. 106-115 ◽  
Author(s):  
Trygve Höy ◽  
P. van der Heyden
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Tectonic Evolution ◽  
Rocky Mountain ◽  
Normal Fault ◽  
Thrust Faults ◽  
Quartz Monzonite ◽  
Reverse Thrust ◽  
Early Late ◽  
Middle Proterozoic

The Reade Lake and Kiakho stocks are posttectonic mesozonal quartz monzonite porphyries that intrude dominantly Middle Proterozoic Purcell Supergroup rocks in southeastern British Columbia. K–Ar dates of hornblende from the Reade Lake stock range from 103 to 143 Ma. However, a U–Pb date of 94 Ma from zircon concentrates is interpreted to be the age of emplacement of the stock, suggesting the range and older K–Ar dates are due to excess 40Ar. A K–Ar date of 122 Ma for the hornblende from the Kiakho stock is believed to be a more reliable intrusive age.Both stocks cut across and apparently seal two faults that have played roles in the tectonic evolution of the Purcell anticlinorium and Rocky Mountain thrust belt. The Reade Lake stock cuts the St. Mary fault, an east-trending reverse thrust that crosses the Rocky Mountain trench and links with thrusts in the Rocky Mountains; the Kiakho stock cuts the Cranbrook fault, an older east-trending normal fault. Hence, the 94 Ma date on the Reade Lake stock constrains the latest movement on the St. Mary fault to early Late Cretaceous; and the 122 Ma date on the Kiakho stock appears to limit latest movement on the Cranbrook fault to Early Cretaceous. These faults and the intrusions are part of an allochthonous package, displaced eastward by underlying thrust faults during formation of the Purcell anticlinorium and more eastern thrusts in the Rocky Mountains.

Stratigraphic position of Carboniferous Macgowanella and Sinopora? pascuali, Canadian Cordillera

1984 ◽  
Vol 21 (4) ◽  
pp. 500-501 ◽  
Author(s):  
Bernard L. Mamet ◽  
Samuel J. Nelson
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Canadian Cordillera ◽  
Canadian Rocky Mountains ◽  
Lower Upper ◽  
Head Formation ◽  
Stratigraphic Position ◽  
Age Determinations

Microfossils associated with Carboniferous Macgowanella and Sinopora? pascuali allow more precise age determinations than previously determined. Macgowanella, a possible bryozoan holdfast, is represented by two species, M. tenuiradiata (Warren) and M. stellata (Warren), both from the Viséan (Upper Mississippian, Meramecian) Mount Head Formation of the southern Canadian Rocky Mountains. Microfossils indicate a correlation with upper Viséan Zone 14, equivalent to the lower upper Meramecian Marston/lower Opal members of the Mount Head Formation.The syringoporid coral Sinopora? pascuali is from near Kamloops, British Columbia. Microfossils support the Early Pennsylvanian date earlier assigned, correlating it with Zones 20 or 21, Bashkirian = Morrowan to basal Atokan.

scholarly journals Nailed to the craton: Stratigraphic continuity across the southeastern Canadian Cordillera with tectonic implications for ribbon continent models

Geology ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 49 (1) ◽  
pp. 101-105
Author(s):  
M.E. McMechan ◽  
K.G. Root ◽  
P.S. Simony ◽  
D.R.M. Pattison
Keyword(s):  
North American ◽  
Rocky Mountains ◽  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Horizontal Displacement ◽  
Strike Slip ◽  
Upper Devonian ◽  
Canadian Cordillera ◽  
Tectonic Implications ◽  
Windermere Supergroup ◽  
North American Craton

Abstract Cambrian and Upper Devonian to Mississippian strata can be confidently traced westward, without strike-slip offset, from the autochthonous section above North American basement into the southeastern Canadian Cordillera, and are thus “nailed” to the craton. These strata are in turn stratigraphically pinned to older (Mesoproterozoic Belt-Purcell Supergroup, Neoproterozoic Windermere Supergroup, and Ediacaran), intermediate-aged (Ordovician–Silurian), and younger (Permian to Middle Jurassic) strata found only in the mountains, thus linking them to the adjacent autochthonous craton. The overlapping distribution of linking successions, regionally traceable unique stratigraphic horizons in the Belt-Purcell and Windermere Supergroups, and across-strike stratigraphic features show that the entire Cariboo, northern Selkirk, Purcell, and Rocky Mountains are directly tied to the adjacent North American craton without discernible strike-slip or oblique displacement, or substantial purely convergent plate-scale (>400 km) horizontal displacement. They link the entire width of the Belt-Purcell and Windermere basins in the southeastern Canadian Cordillera to the adjacent craton and show that any proposed Cretaceous ribbon continent suture, with its thousands of kilometers of proposed displacement, cannot run through the southeastern Canadian Cordillera.

Interpretation of isotopic ages and 87Sr/86Sr initial ratios for plutonic rocks in the Whitehorse map area, Yukon

1979 ◽  
Vol 16 (10) ◽  
pp. 1988-1997 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gregg W. Morrison ◽  
Colin I. Godwin ◽  
Richard L. Armstrong
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Oceanic Crust ◽  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Canadian Cordillera ◽  
Initial Ratio ◽  
Eastern Margin ◽  
The North ◽  
Plutonic Complex ◽  
Coast Plutonic Complex ◽  
North American Craton

Sixteen new K–Ar dates and four new Rb–Sr isochrons help define four plutonic suites in the Whitehorse map area, Yukon. The Triassic(?) suite, defined on stratigraphic evidence, is the southern extension of the Yukon Crystalline Terrane and is correlative with plutonic suites in the Intermontane Belt in British Columbia. The mid-Cretaceous (~100 Ma) suite in the Intermontane Belt in the Whitehorse map area is time equivalent to plutonic suites in the Omineca Crystalline Belt to the east. Late Cretaceous (~70 Ma) and Eocene (~55 Ma) suites include volcanic and subvolcanic as well as plutonic phases and are correlative with continental volcano–plutonic suites near the eastern margin of the Coast Plutonic Complex. The predominance of the mid-Cretaceous suite in the Intermontane Belt in Whitehorse and adjacent map areas in Yukon and northern British Columbia suggests that this area has undergone posttectonic magmatism more characteristic of the Omineca Crystalline Belt than of the Intermontane Belt elsewhere in the Canadian Cordillera.87Sr/86Sr initial ratio determinations suggest that the southern extension of the Yukon Crystalline Terrane in the western part of the Whitehorse map area and in northern British Columbia includes Precambrian crust separated from the North American craton by Paleozoic oceanic crust of the Intermontane Belt.

Geochronology and tectonic implications of magmatism and metamorphism, southern Kootenay Arc and neighbouring regions, southeastern British Columbia. Part I: Jurassic to mid-Cretaceous

1983 ◽  
Vol 20 (12) ◽  
pp. 1891-1913 ◽  
Author(s):  
D. A. Archibald ◽  
J. K. Glover ◽  
R. A. Price ◽  
E. Farrar ◽  
D. M. Carmichael
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
North America ◽  
Regional Metamorphism ◽  
Granitic Rocks ◽  
Early Paleozoic ◽  
Small Bodies ◽  
Western Margin ◽  
The North ◽  
Windermere Supergroup ◽  
Igneous Activity

K–Ar dates and U–Pb zircon dates define three periods of igneous activity in the southern Kootenay Arc: (1) emplacement of late-synkinematic to post-kinematic granodioritic plutons in mid-Jurassic time (170–165 Ma) accompanying amphibolite-facies regional metamorphism; (2) emplacement of post-kinematic granitic plutons in mid-Cretaceous time (~100 Ma); and (3) emplacement of small bodies of syenite in Eocene time (~50 Ma) in the western part of the area. Micas from mid-Jurassic plutons that yield the oldest K–Ar dates (158–166 Ma) also yield plateau-shaped 40Ar/39Ar age spectra. Age spectra for biotites younger than these but older than 125 Ma reflect thermal overprinting.In southeastern British Columbia, the Kootenay Arc marks the transition from the North American rocks of the Cordilleran miogeocline to the tectonic collage of allochthonous terranes that have been accreted to it.Deformation, metamorphism, and plutonism recorded in rocks of the southern Kootenay Arc commenced in mid-Jurassic time as a composite allochthonous terrane was accreted to and overlapped the western margin of North America. The geochronology and metamorphic geothermobarometry show that in less than 10 Ma between 166 and 156 Ma: (1) rocks as young as the late Proterozoic Windermere Supergroup and the early Paleozoic Lardeau Group were carried rapidly to depths of 20–24 km while being deformed and intruded by granitic rocks of a hornblende–biotite suite that were also being emplaced at a much shallower level in the overriding allochthonous terrane; and (2) the miogeoclinal rocks of the Windermere Supergroup in the southern Kootenay Arc were then uplifted by more than 7 km at an estimated rate of 2 mm/year, and thrust over the allochthonous terrane prior to being intruded by post-kinematic granitic rocks, many of which belong to the two-mica suite of mid-Cretaceous age..

Spatially overlapping episodes of deformation, metamorphism, and magmatism in the southern Omineca Belt, southeastern British Columbia

2018 ◽  
Vol 55 (1) ◽  
pp. 84-110 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ewan Russell Webster ◽  
David R.M. Pattison
Keyword(s):  
British Columbia ◽  
Early Cretaceous ◽  
Late Cretaceous ◽  
Middle Jurassic ◽  
Canadian Cordillera ◽  
Spatial Relationships ◽  
Metamorphic Belt ◽  
Facies Metamorphism ◽  
Contact Aureoles ◽  
Greenschist Facies Metamorphism

The southeastern Omineca Belt of the Canadian Cordillera preserves a record of overlapping Barrovian and Buchan metamorphism spanning 180–50 Ma. This paper documents the timing, character, and spatial relationships that define separate domains of Middle Jurassic, Early Cretaceous, and Late Cretaceous deformation and metamorphism, and the nature of the geological interfaces that exist between them. A domain of Early Jurassic deformation (D1) and regional greenschist-facies metamorphism (M1) is cross-cut by Middle Jurassic (174–161 Ma) intrusions. Associated contact aureoles are divided into lower pressure (cordierite-dominated; ∼2.5–3.3 kbar; 1 kbar = 100 MPa) and higher pressure (staurolite-bearing; 3.5–4.2 kbar) subtypes; contact metamorphic kyanite occurs rarely in some staurolite-bearing aureoles. Jurassic structures are progressively overprinted northwards by Early Cretaceous deformation and metamorphism (D2M2), manifested in a tightening of Jurassic structures, development of more pervasive ductile fabrics, and Barrovian metamorphism. The D2M2 domain is the southerly continuation of the 600 km long Selkirk–Monashee–Cariboo metamorphic belt. Mid-Cretaceous intrusions (118–90 Ma) were emplaced throughout the D2M2 domain, the earliest of which contain D2 fabrics, but cut M2 isograds. The D2M2 domain makes a continuous, southeasterly transition into a domain of Late Cretaceous regional Barrovian metamorphism and deformation (D3M3; 94–76 Ma). The interface between these two domains is obscured by the coaxial nature of the deformation and the apparent continuity of the metamorphic zones, resulting in a complex and cryptic interface. Similarities between the D3M3 domain and the Selkirk Crest of Idaho and Washington suggest that this domain is the northerly continuation of the northward-plunging Priest River Complex.

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